Rath Yatra at Bandra (East) Mumbai

[Guest guest]

Rath Yatra at Bandra East, Mumbai

 

Sairam,

 

The Rath Yatra on Sunday evening at Bandra ,to herald the 80th year opf

the advent of the Avthar, was indeed a Joyous occasion. It was a riot of

colour and pageantry marked with dignity and decorum. The venue, a

beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, was large enough to

accomodate the 350 -odd devotees.

 

At 5 minutes past 6 in the evening, young Bal Vikas boys heralded the

start of the Rath Yatra by invoking the blessings of the Lord chanting

Vedic mantras.The boys from the Dharmakshetra school led the colourful

procession playing rhythmic beats on the drums. The young girls from the

school caught everybody's attention as they jingled the Lezims and

danced tirelessly for almost an hour and half. There were a dozen

lighted lamps carried by bearers (baarath-style) to add sparkle to the

occasion. There were several Bal Vikas children wearing a sash or

carrying yellow placards containing Swami's teachings. Hundreds of

Mahilas ,donning the orange and yellow seva dal scarves, followed the

children, singing sarva dharma bhajans.Then followed the Youth in

sparkling whites.They sang bhajans in tandem with the mahilas, using

mikes and megaphones. Several members of the local samithis wore dhotis

and kurtas and donned orange turbans. They smilingly ushered the

horse-drawn cariage carrying Bhagwan's photo. A spotlight added

brilliance to the colourful photo of a beamimng Swami. A few cars

carrying elder members of the Trust and the Organisation brought up the

tail-end. Enthusiastic members of the Samithis distributed Vibhuthi

prasad and a 2-page brochure to residents of the locality as well as

several curious onlookers. Some others distributed water to the

devotees. The office-bearers paced up and down to ensure that everything

was working to precision. Videographers and photographers captured the

moments for posterity.

 

The procession returned to the Hanuman temple after wending its ways

through the streets of Kherwadi. Shri Ruia, an elder member of the

Trust, performed aarthi to Bhagwan. Beaming devotees partook the Prasad

and left for their homes. It was indeed a memorable evening, when the

Divine visited a quite suburb of Mumbai and showered His blessings.

 

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu.

 

Lovingly shared by Ravi Gopal....

 

Deepak